Armenian Foreign Ministry Issues New Statement

The recent statements made by the Azerbaijani Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense once again clearly indicate that the purpose of Azerbaijan's systematic policy of violence and intimidation towards Artsakh is to ethnically cleanse the Armenian population of Artsakh.

On March 24, prior to the invasion of Azerbaijani armed forces into the village of Parukh in Artsakh, there were continuous bursts of fire directed at Armenian settlements and civilian infrastructure, as well as threats directed at the residents of the neighboring village of Kharamort, urging the Armenian population to leave their homes using loudspeakers for several days.

In parallel with this invasion and provocation of military actions, Azerbaijan has disrupted the operation of a vital gas pipeline under unprecedented cold weather conditions for several weeks, placing the population of Artsakh on the brink of a humanitarian disaster. Furthermore, in order to complete its policy of ethnic cleansing and to perpetrate genocide against the Armenians of Artsakh, Azerbaijan demands the removal of the self-defense forces of the Armenian population from Artsakh through its statements.

The declarations of the Azerbaijani foreign and defense ministries also confirm that the aggression by Azerbaijan in Artsakh has been pre-planned within the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping forces, which is a blatant disregard for the obligations assumed under the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, including the clause regarding the cessation of hostilities at their positions.

The international community is obligated to take effective and targeted measures to prevent attempts to destabilize the situation in the South Caucasus. At the same time, we deem it important that a proper investigation be conducted into the actions of the peacekeeping forces during the incursion of Azerbaijani units into the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Artsakh, as well as a clear demand be formulated and announced for the withdrawal of Azerbaijani units to their original positions.

We also expect that the Russian peacekeeping forces in Artsakh will take concrete and visible steps to regulate the situation and prevent new casualties and military operations.